This is John and Rachel’s first date. John is anxious to impress her so he brings her to an expensive French restaurant. He orders a glass of wine for each of them and exchanges a few words in French with the waiter. The waiter compliments him on his French and returns with the wine and the menu.

“Wow, I am impressed! Where did you learn to speak French?” Rachel asks.

“Well, I took a few classes at the French Language Institute and spent a few weeks in France after that. But it was a few years ago and my French is a little rusty” replies John blushing. “I could order for us in French if you like.”

“That would be cool! I’ve never been to a French restaurant with someone who was fluent in the language. Order a chicken dish for me. I don’t know much about French food but anything in a cream sauce would be great.”

“Alright” says John. “There’s a chicken in mushroom and asparagus cream sauce that I think you will like, and I’ll have the rack of lamb.”

“Sounds perfect!” says Rachel as the waiter approaches the table to take their order.
John speaks to the waiter in French, who smiles and nods politely. About ten minutes later he returns with their order. “Anything else I can get for you?” he asks after placing the plates on the table.

John and Rachel look at their plates and then look at each other.

John looks embarrassed. “I guess my French is more than 'a little rusty'.”

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Questions and Answers (Preguntas y Respuestas)

Below is a list of practice questions and answers about the previous reading. Make sure you repeat them out loud to improve your spoken spanish.

Your grammar doesn’t have to be perfect. We all understand what you mean to say.

I misunderstood. That expression sounds very funny in Vietnamese.

Could you please repeat that? My knowledge of Thai is very basic.

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